TGS 1999: Even More Onimusha Details

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Initial gameplay scenes and intro movies show a gritty, brutal game with huge potential.

By Douglass C. Perry

In a rare noon showing at the Tokyo Game Show last weekend, Capcom, Inc. demonstrated first gameplay scenes, introductory movies, and puzzle scenarios from its PlayStation 2 conversion, Onimusha: The Demon Warrior.

Onimusha, created first for the PlayStation, and now in the process of changing over to the PlayStation 2, is a Resident Evil-style game based on Shogun warriors and set in ancient Japan. The gameplay, however, is combat oriented, with more action, sword fighting, and spell casting taking the place of Resident Evil's more exploratory and puzzle based gameplay. The footage shows gameplay from the PlayStation version of the game, but illustrates significant aspects of the game never seen before.

Onimusha, the lead character, handles several kinds of weapons, including a Demon Sword, which is able to cast several kinds of magic spells, al well worth seeing. At least three kinds were shown in the footage, huge, spherical, electrical attacks, fire-based projectiles, and energy-based shots that shoot forward in narrow blasts. Indeed, the game looks to be one of the more exciting new PlayStation 2 titles, and one that shows Capcom pushing the Resident Evil style to new limits (finally).

Also, a far better sense of the actual action can be seen via this footage. Onimusha is capable of at least three (surely more) sword attacks, a down-motion vertical swing, a horizontal attack, and a gut-bursting upper vertical attack. It's likely that combinations are used to fight even tougher battles alongside the powerful magic used with the Demon Sword. At least two new bosses were shown, too, each of which is rich in detail and fresh in design. One boss stands twice the size of Onimusha, and looks like a powerful troll or ogre.

The newest details also show off a new set of puzzles inherent to the game. First, Onimusha must pass through the classic swinging blade sequence, in which giant, hanging battle axe-like blades swing back and forth. Obviously, timing and a good eye are necessary for succeeding in this area. The second and more interesting of the puzzles include an ancient device that looks like an old-fashioned cannon, which must be moved to open up a new area. Onimusha cuts the rope holding the device on its ramp, and lets it roll freely away, allowing the lead character passage to new territory.

And then, finally, you can all see the spell-binding intro scene, which Capcom purposefully created in black and white, setting a gritty, old fashioned tone for the brutal battle field scenario that portrays two camps at war, all in Shogun-style armor, using swords, spears and knives in full hand-to-hand combat. Suffice it is to say; this is a grim portrayal of field war that is not for the weak at heart.

Onimusha for PlayStation 2 does not have an official release date, but it's likely to arrive by the end of 2000. No word on its US arrival just yet.